Amor Profano - Vivaldi Arias

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Andrea Marcon (Conductor), Venice Baroque Orchestra (Orchestra), Simone Kermes (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Simone Kermes
• Orchestra: Venice Baroque Orchestra
• Conductor: Andrea Marcon
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi
• Audio CD (February 12, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000YM4I48
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,831 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Profane' but Never Vulgar -- A Recital of Astonishing Finesse, July 26, 2008

By 

Terry Serres (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amor Profano - Vivaldi Arias (Audio CD)

Rare is the coloratura recital that does not tire through sheer excess. This recording is a refreshing exception.

In the intensity of his vocal writing, Vivaldi has a tendency to use the voice like any other instrument. If you have a singer with the talent and technique to meet these formidable demands head on, the results can be revelatory.

Kermes has the goods. Hers is a voice of warmth and subtlety, fortified by steel where needed. She is so impeccably fluid and proficient in her coloratura that she can deploy it as an expressive tool and not merely brandish it as a weapon for showstopping bravura. Her coloratura is by turns fierce, graceful, tender, and beguiling. Her technique is not overly aspirated as is that of some other notable singers. This ease gives her wide emotional and interpretive range, allowing her to word-paint even amidst her runs.

The program she and Andrea Marcon have built is satisfying and enterprising in its variety. Five tracks are premieres on disk. The suite of sinfonias from Bajazet in mid-program are an harmonically intriguing interlude, offering a welcome diversion from the vocal extravaganza. Andrea Marcon partners his singer with authority and sensitivity. He brings forth clear textures from the orchestra, which acquits itself with a convincing blend of agility and nuance. The frequent appearances from the trumpets and horns are spectacular. They enhance and support the rich vocal writing instead of competing with the voice and overwhelming the listener. Marcon is a consummate master in this music. He reveals proto-Mozartean pleasures and truly aids the singer in developing her characters.

On occasion Kermes sounds less than robust in mid-register, but this is certainly not a pervasive problem. I recommend this recording whole-heartedly.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect match, April 24, 2008

By 

Simon Bolivar "davinci" (Queretaro, Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amor Profano - Vivaldi Arias (Audio CD)

Like the CD on Amor Sacro Kermes + Marcon make a perfect match
y can highly recomend both